No one can watch the launching of the space shuttle without feeling a sense of pride and respect for the men and women who make such a marvelous feat possible. The launching of today's manned and unmanned rockets is the result of decades of research and experimentation. Much of the knowledge that launches today's vehicles comes from men and women who began their careers as backyard amateur rocket scientists. This booklet is prepared for people -- people who have an earnest desire to learn and experiment, not those who simply love explosions or to flirt with danger.
So, this book is for serious amateur rocket experimenters and yes, dreamers. But it is not for fools. Before you begain any experiment in this book, you must develop a healthy respect for the science of amateur rocketry and the harm that misguided or careless experimentation can cause.
As an amateur rocket experimenter, you may follow in the footsteps of Goddard and Van Braun. You may, in your experiments, discover any number of improvements that make a significant contribution to the science of rocketry.
